Not rare at all.
One's a 3 speed and one's a 4 speed.
T-176, stronger than the T4
Shift pattern is different.
Here is some good info....
http://www.novak-adapt.com/index.htm

LG

 

Someone told me that the 304/4spd was a lot harder to find.

Thanks.

 

Unless it's a T-18 4spd that was swapped in, it's just another light duty trans that AMC stuck in our CJs. There's nothing too special about any of them, with the exception of the T-18.

Matt

 

In 1979 there were two manual transmissions available from Jeep: T-150 3 speed, and T-18 4 speed. So, if it came with a manual transmission, it came with one or the other. I have no idea what the actual production numbers were, but they aren't that unique.

Lighter duty manual transmissions began in 1980 with the SR-4 (later to become the T-4). The T-176 is a medium duty 4 speed transmission and was used behind the 304 V8 (AMC dropped the V8 after 1981) and on many 258 I-6 engines. The light duty T-5 5 speed became available in 1982 behind the I-4 and I-6 engines.

Information taken from: http://www.jeeptech.com/

 

The T18 was never available with the 304 from the factory, so finding a 304 with a four speed means a prior owner swapped it in or possibly the dealer that originally sold it. That's why you don't see many.

As said, the T176 wasn't offered until 1980 so you won't find them in '79 CJs unless someone swapped one in.

 

How do you think the TH400 stacks up strength wise to a T18?
I know for four wheel ability the T18 is going to win but otherwise?

 

I thought that from 76 to 79 that there was a jeep version of the t18 available. Was it only sold with a 258? Im pretty sure that I saw and drove one in the early 90's. They dont have as low of a 1st gear as a regular t18.

 

The '76-79 CJ T18 most definitely was the low first gear version, and yes, it was only offered from the factory (important point) with the 258. There were dealers which would swap the T150 behind 304s with the T18.

 

This from Novak...

Jeep T18

Jeep released 12 known versions of the T18 transmissions from 1966 and 1984, with the greatest variations being in input shaft configurations and gearing. The battle of working with these is compounded if you did not actually witness the transmission's removal from the donor vehicle.All Jeep T18's locate their PTO port on the driver's side.

Generally, most CJ T18's from 1972 to 1975 had the close-ratio, fitted with a front adapter plate in cast iron to the AMC bellhousing. These transmissions had the narrow ratio gearing (4.02:1 first gear). These 1972-1975 Jeep CJ T18's adapt to GM Engines with our #1415 kit. 1976 was a crossover year for the Jeep CJ T18, featuring either the 4.02 or 6:32 first gear and no front adapter as previously. Both these and all CJ T18's through 1979 had the shortest of the Jeep input shafts, measuring 7.43" of stickout.

All Jeep CJ's from 1977 to 1979 had wide-ratio T18 with the 6.32:1 first gear. No front adapter plate is present on these models. 1976-1979 T18 transmissions can be adapted to GM V6 or V8 by use of a T18 adapter kit that we manufacture, kit #1879. Jeep CJ T18's from 1976-1978 may be cast with #13-01-097-907. The 1979 Jeep CJ T18 is similar to the 1976-1978 versions, except that it features a wider front bearing and a different top cover with aluminum shift forks and a different shift pattern with reverse gear being over to the right and down. These T18's may have a case casting number of 13-01-065-904 and a top cover casting of #13-01-065-906.

It doesn't say which engines they were paired, though. Perhaps both the 258 and 304?

Matt

 

This from Novak...

Jeep T18

Jeep released 12 known versions of the T18 transmissions from 1966 and 1984, with the greatest variations being in input shaft configurations and gearing. The battle of working with these is compounded if you did not actually witness the transmission's removal from the donor vehicle.All Jeep T18's locate their PTO port on the driver's side.

Generally, most CJ T18's from 1972 to 1975 had the close-ratio, fitted with a front adapter plate in cast iron to the AMC bellhousing. These transmissions had the narrow ratio gearing (4.02:1 first gear). These 1972-1975 Jeep CJ T18's adapt to GM Engines with our #1415 kit. 1976 was a crossover year for the Jeep CJ T18, featuring either the 4.02 or 6:32 first gear and no front adapter as previously. Both these and all CJ T18's through 1979 had the shortest of the Jeep input shafts, measuring 7.43" of stickout.

All Jeep CJ's from 1977 to 1979 had wide-ratio T18 with the 6.32:1 first gear. No front adapter plate is present on these models. 1976-1979 T18 transmissions can be adapted to GM V6 or V8 by use of a T18 adapter kit that we manufacture, kit #1879. Jeep CJ T18's from 1976-1978 may be cast with #13-01-097-907. The 1979 Jeep CJ T18 is similar to the 1976-1978 versions, except that it features a wider front bearing and a different top cover with aluminum shift forks and a different shift pattern with reverse gear being over to the right and down. These T18's may have a case casting number of 13-01-065-904 and a top cover casting of #13-01-065-906.

It doesn't say which engines they were paired, though. Perhaps both the 258 and 304?

Matt

What's the easiest way to identify which 4 speed is in a running Jeep?

Should I just look for those case casting #s or is there an easier/quicker way to tell the difference between the T-176 and T-18?

 

T18 would be a cast iron case, T176 would be aluminum, as would the SR4 and T4.
The SR4 would have reverse to the left and forward. ( after pulling up on the shift lever)
T18 would be to the right and either up or down.
T176/T4 would have reverse , He!!, I don't remember.

Bill

 

T18 would be a cast iron case, T176 would be aluminum, as would the SR4 and T4.
The SR4 would have reverse to the left and forward. ( after pushing down on the shift lever)
T18 would be to the right and either up or down.
T176/T4 would have reverse , He!!, I don't remember.

Bill

Fixed it, Papa Bill. :wave:

 

The '79 CJ was the only year the T18 was available from the factory with a 304 v8. While many have said they are not rare my experience is the opposite.

 

According to my sales brochure for 1980, the 4 speed became the standard transmission for the CJ line, being offered with the 151, 258, and 304.

 

Was the T176 any good?

 

yes very sought after and its been behind many of builds incorporating the 360

 

They are so rare around here that in my 25 years of tinkering on these things I have never seen a factory T18 in a CJ. Whether 6 cylinder or V8.

But that's not saying much. Its extremely flat here and not much need for it.